April 1, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Easter Feasts

Here are my top wine picks from the April 1, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection, and annual Easter release which focuses on Perfect Old World and New World Wine Pairings for Easter Feasts. Although it is once again a small-ish release, there are many highly quality wines worth getting your hands on, while the sub-$20 category is fading to memory.

We'll begin with the theme on food & wine pairings centered around New World vs. Old World Wines for Easter Feasts. In all there are twenty wines featured across the six pairings and seven wines that are recommended buys. For pairing with appetizers, try the Pinot Grigio from Südtirol - Alto Adige or the sparkling brut rosé sparkling wine from South Africa that is crafted with 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. For pairing with Prime Rib or Lamb Breast, you'll want a big, high tannin red such as the Cabernet Sauvignon from Paraje Altamira in Argentina. To pair wine with a Turkey Dinner, try New World wines such as the Pinot Noir from Chile or the Chardonnay from Twenty Mile Bench in Niagara. With Baked Ham, try the medium-sweet Riesling from Niagara, and to pair with Mushrooms try the Chianti Classico that is made with 90% Sangiovese and 10% Colorino / Canaiolo.

Red wine recommendations from the rest of the release start in Italy with an Amarone that is crafted with 60% Corvina Veronese, 30% Corvinone, and 5% Rondinella / Croatina Veronese, then followed by the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano from Tuscany that is a blend of mainly Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile), plus Canaiolo and other permitted grape varieties. The only other blend is by Mascota Vineyards in Argentina that consists of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, and 15% Cabernet Franc. Single varietal wines include a pair of Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Australia, a Garnacha (aka Grenache) from Spain, and a Malbec from Argentina.

Among my white wine picks, all are mono varietal wines and the most unique might be the wine from Greece that is made with Mavrofilero, a clone of Moschofilero. Other white wines include a pair of Chardonnays - one from Argentina and the other from Jordan Village in Niagara, as well as a pair of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines. There is also a Chenin Blanc from South Africa and a Grüner Veltliner from Austria.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• CHILENSIS SIGNATURE SERIES PINOT NOIR 2017 - Sustainable, Valle de Casablanca, Chile (#28591) (XD) - $19.95
• MENGUANTE SELECCIÓN GARNACHA 2017 - DOP Cariñena, Spain (#313833) (XD) - $19.95
• SOPHENIA KARMA MALBEC 2020 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#28085) (XD) - $21.95
• PENLEY PHOENIX CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#639575) (XD) - $22.95
• CASTELLO DI RADDA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#16448) (XD) - $23.95
• MASCOTA UNÁNIME GRAN VINO TINTO 2018 - Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#466938) (XD) - $26.95
• ZAHA TOKO VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#28080) (XD) - $27.95
• CARPINETO RISERVA VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#368910) (XD) - $34.95
• WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - Coonawarra, South Australia (#84996) (XD) - $47.95
• PIEROPAN VIGNA GARZON AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2016 - Sustainable, DOCG, Veneto, Italy (#16087) (D) - $72.95

White Wine:

• RADFORD DALE VINUM CHENIN BLANC 2021 - Vegan, sustainable, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#13338) (XD) - $19.95
• ALLAN SCOTT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 - Vegan, sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#27022) (XD) - $21.95
• KELLEREI BOZEN PINOT GRIGIO 2020 - DOC Südtirol - Alto Adige, Italy (#249466) (XD) - $21.95
• SKOURAS SALTO WILD YEAST MAVROFILERO 2021 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#31521) (XD) - $23.95
• STAETE LANDT ANNABEL SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Sustainable, estate grown, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#648691) (XD) - $24.95
• LOIMER GRÜNER VELTLINER 2021 - DAC Kamptal, Austria (#142240) (XD) - $24.95
• HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING 2019 - VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#183491) (M) - $24.95
  
• EL ENEMIGO CHARDONNAY 2020 - Mendoza, Argentina (#482984) (XD) - $27.95
• LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#20455) (XD) - $29.95
• LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#184549) (XD) - $49.95

Sparkling Wine:

• L'ORMARINS BRUT ROSÉ CAP CLASSIQUE SPARKLING 2016 - Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa (#28586) (XD) - $25.95

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Valmoissine Pinot Noir 2021 (Provence) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a lovely Pinot Noir produced by the famed Burgundian producer Maison Louis Latour. However, this red wine is not from Burgundy, but instead from the Var appellation in Provence and was featured on the cover of the most recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on March 18th.

Maison Louis Latour has a long history in wine that begins in 1731 when they acquired their first, and some of the top, vineyards in Burgundy. This wine, however, is from their Domaine in Provence called Domaine de Valmoissine and they have been cultivating Pinot Noir at this site since 1989.

The Valmoissine project was launched in the mid-1980s, not long after initial trials with Chardonnay in Ardèche were successful. As these trials were conducted in collaboration with a wine cooperative in Haut Var, Louis Latour soon began the search for their own land to establish their own estate and in 1990 they planted their first vines - 35 hectares in the village of Aups, in an area that had never been planted with vines. The domaine gets its name from the former collegiate church of Valmoissine which stood nearby from the year 900 up to the 15th century. Domaine de Valmoissine is situated in the heart of a region of rolling valleys, close to the Verdon Gorges, and on the site of the former monastery at 500 metres above sea level.

Today, Domaine to Valmoissine spans 100 hectares and the combination of clay and limestone soils with a fully south-facing aspect was important in the selection of this site where the conditions are similar to their terroir of choice - the Hill of Corton in Burgundy, the perfect terroir for the Burgundian grape variety of Pinot Noir. This area experiences a southern climate with hot, sunny days, and cool nights which allows the Pinot Noir grapes to brave the high temperatures of summer. The seasons are well defined in this area with hot summers and cold winters, while the southerly exposure and higher altitude limit the risk of spring frost.

The vineyard management and winemaking techniques used by Maison Latour in Var are identical to those used in Burgundy, with the objective of producing a refined and elegant wine of irreproachable quality. Yields are kept low to ensure good maturity and aromatic concentration of the grapes. The wines are crafted at the former Cave La Verdière, an old wine co-operative that was purchased by Maison Latour, and the vats were completely renewed in 1997 to provide the best possible conditions for the creation of an exceptional wine.

The grapes for this particular Pinot Noir were grown on the clay and limestone soils of the Verdon Hills in Provence, from vines averaging 15 years old. It was hand-picked and mechanically harvested, and completely de-stemmed upon arrival at the winery. It was fermented traditionally in open vats and followed by gentle pneumatic pressing. The free-run juice and the pressed wine were re-assembled and aged in stainless steel vats for 10 to 12 months. Cultivated in the contrasting climate of the Verdon Hills, the elegance of Pinot Noir is revealed in this wine by the application of the finest winemaking skills of Burgundy. Let's see how this 2021 Pinot Noir from Var in Provence is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

VALMOISSINE PINOT NOIR 2021 - IGP Var, Provence, France (#714451) (XD) - $25.95
This unoaked, 100% Pinot Noir has a medium-high intensity nose offering attractive aromas of sour dark red cherry, spice, dark currant, strawberry, forest floor, and earthy minerality, with hints of tea leaf and dried herbs emerging with time in the glass. On the medium+ bodied palate it delivers spiced dark berries, cherry, currant, and forest floor replays on the flavour profile. It has fresh, juicy acidity and light, slightly grippy and youthful tannins that offer a pleasing textural mouthfeel. Nicely balanced throughout with dark berry, sour cherry and forest floor notes lingering on the long, succulent finish. Quite impressive and a highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Louis Latour are available through the LCBO, and through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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French Door Estate Winery Héritage 2020 (British Columbia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a sneak preview of a lovely red wine from B.C. that is expected to be released by the winery this Spring!

It is produced by French Door Estate Winery, a small, boutique, family-owned and -operated winery and vineyard that was founded in 2019 by Audra and Jason Shull. They are located on the beautiful Black Sage Bench at 365 metres above sea level on a plateau edge overlooking the valley, south of the town of Oliver, in the southern Okanagan Valley.

With a passion for quality wine, the 10-acre property is planted with 100% vinifera vines, both red and white, on beautiful, expressive soils that have resulted in rich, lush, and character driven wines. The soils on the property are sandy and rocky, with a gravel and clay base that are very well drained, with a granitic sub-soil. Their goal is to produce honest, low-intervention wines, from sustainably grown grapes, in a classic old-world French style.

The name "French Door Estate Winery" came to mind because the family was inspired by the simplicity and quality of French architecture, cuisine, and wine during their travels to Provence. As they believe that the Okanagan valley has a similar uniqueness about it, the Shull family wanted to bring these parallels to life through the way their wine is made and discussed.

Their consultant winemaker is Pascal Madevon, a man who integrates his French heritage into all of his wine creations. All of the wines are produced in the Barrel Room where there are three Tonneau French oak vats and French oak barrels. The French theme continues with a white and bright with black accents colour scheme throughout the winery, resembling the look and feel of a French farmhouse. The symbol of the "French door" is representative of their aspiration to incorporate the traditional aesthetics and values of beautiful Provence into their own backyard, with a modern twist.

This red wine from the Okanagan Valley is a blend of 41% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah, 6% Malbec, and 5% Petit Verdot. The grapes were grown at their estate vineyard which experiences long days of sunshine, while the Oliver wind in the afternoon cools the grapes until the sun goes behind Mount Kobau. Each vineyard block and variety is cultivated with precise care depending on the vines' needs. To vinify this wine, all of the grapes were hand-harvested and sorted before being de-stemmed and gently crushed into tanks. Each variety was fermented separately and was followed by an extended maceration to extract colour and tannins. Free run wine was drained directly into barrels, while the rest was pressed off the following day, and then aged for 14 months in 60% neutral and 40% new French oak barrels before being bottled.

The 2020 growing season in the Okanagan started wet and cool, which meant a smaller fruit set than usual. The result was a smaller grape harvest, which in turn meant less wine. However, the grape quality of what was picked was excellent due to perfect ripening conditions, and the quality of the wines will be among the best of the decade. According to French Door, their 2020 Héritage could be their most refined yet. Let's see how this 2020 Okanagan Valley red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FRENCH DOOR ESTATE WINERY HÉRITAGE 2020 - BC VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (XD) - $52
Blend of 41% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah, 6% Malbec, and 5% Petit Verdot. The medium+ intensity nose seems a bit shy, offering elegant dark fruited aromas of black currant, cassis, and blackberry nuanced with savoury freshly tilled earth, olive, dried herbs, and oak spice adding complexity. On the elegant, refined, medium-full bodied, and dry palate it has lovely dark currant, blackberry, black cherry, olive, and earthy flavours. It has fresh acidity and elegantly refined, well-structured tannins, with savoury cocoa and herbal notes lingering on the long, juicy finish. Really elegant and refined throughout. Once released, this is a highly recommended buy! Score: 92+ pts

While this 2020 vintage isn't available for purchase as of yet at the time of this post, the 2019 vintage of this terrific wine is available direct from the winery.

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El Coto de Imaz Gran Reserva 2015 (Rioja) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this excellent Gran Reserva from Rioja that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the March 18th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is crafted by El Coto, a wine producer that carried out its first harvest in 1970 in the Denomination of Origin Rioja and inaugurated its first facility in Oyón, within the province of Álava, in 1976. After the management team led by Eduardo Santos-Ruiz came together in 1979, the commercial network was built throughout the 80s, laying the foundation for the creation of a great brand.

In 1990, El Coto consolidated its position as a benchmark in Rioja wines and, consequently, greatly increased its international presence and demand. In order to meet this increase in demand, they expanded the winery several times throughout the 90s. In 2000, at the beginning of the new millenium, El Coto de Rioja established itself as the leading Crianza and Reserva brand in the Spanish market, and in 2004 their property Los Almendros became the largest vineyard in all of the Denomination of Origin Rioja.

Depicted on the labels of each El Coto wine brand is a portion of the original handcrafted engraving, or in the case of their top Coto Real wine - a complete reproduction, that incorporates details directly linked to the company's history. This engraving is a natural vignette with iconic elements for El Coto de Rioja and includes the deer that receives visitors at the entrance to the winery and the Monastery of Imaz, as well as emblematic and historical elements that now also form part of their presentations.

El Coto is an artisan of wine. They owns eight vineyards, all of which surround their property. Because they own all of their vineyards, they are able to control their production year-after-year in search of the quality that they want for their wines. This attention to detail continues in the winery as they have twelve small, independent wineries situated near each other, each with a specific purpose, yet connected to each other by the knowledge, the work, and the hand of man. Each process in the development of the wine is carried out with the utmost care.

This Gran Reserva is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano that was vinified in stainless steel tanks for 21-30 days, with just enough maceration to achieve the balance between fruit and extract. It was aged for a minimum of 24 months in American and French oak barrels, followed by a further 36 months of refinement in bottle. From a very good, hot and dry vintage, let's see how this 2015 Rioja is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

EL COTO DE IMAZ GRAN RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#976811) (XD) - $34.95
This blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano is open, fragrant, and intensely aromatic with such an attractive nose of fresh and dried red cherry and floral, plus sweet baking spices, cinnamon, vanilla, and savoury cedary and earth undertones adding further complexity. It's medium-full bodied on the dry palate with lovely fresh & dried red cherry and floral, coconut, sandalwood, and oak spice flavours with some tangy notes. It has fresh acidity and well-structured, gently grippy tannins. Savoury, earthy, and cedary with touches of graphite lingering on the long, very satisfying finish. Enjoy over the next 5-7 years. Highly recommended buy! Score: 92+ pts

Other excellent wines by El Coto de Rioja can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Margan Family Hunter Valley Semillon 2017 (Australia) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2018 Margan Family Hunter Valley Semillon white wine a couple of years ago, tonight's wine review is an older vintage of the same wine and it arrived in LCBO outlets across the province last weekend as part of the March 18 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Margan Wines, a family-owned winery that was established by Lisa and her husband Andrew Margan in 1996. They are situated in the picturesque Broke Fordwich wine region of Hunter Valley. Prior to founding Margan Wines, Andrew learned the art of grape growing and winemaking at Tyrrell's for 20 years, while also working as a flying winemaker in France.

Today, Margan Wines is the leading producer within the Broke Fordwich sub-region of the Hunter Valley. Across two locations they have over 100 hectares of distinguished vineyards, some of which were planted in the late 1960s. Most of the vineyards are planted on the unique soils of the Fordwich Sill and provide the wines with a special sense of place. All of the wines are Estate grown and produced, as well as certified Sustainably Farmed.

As leaders in environmental stewardship, Margan Wines is fully accredited with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and Freshcare, and were one of the first producers in the Hunter Valley to achieve this. Their certification benchmarks to the International Standards of ISO14000 of best practices, which means that they follow a detailed Environmental Management Plan to reduce their impact across all business operations in the four basic pillars of sustainability - reduction of greenhouse gases, energy efficiency, water management and the reduction of waste. Their acclaimed Margan Restaurant is regionally awarded for its focus on estate-grown produce which includes an orchard, olive groves, estate-reared lambs, bees, and free-range chickens.

Hunter Valley Semillon is one of the great wine styles of not only Australia, but around the world. This particular Semillon was picked from Margan's low-yielding, 40-year-old mature vines grown in the red volcanic clay soils of the Ancient Fordwich Sill. These soils are the weathered product of ancient volcanic eruptions and are rich in minerals, absorb moisture easily, and release it slowly.

The 2017 growing season in Hunter Valley was hot, dry, and trouble-free. It delivered a great vintage for wine, especially Semillon. Hunter Valley Semillon can be enjoyed when young and fresh, or cellared for many years, thereby introducing many complexities. Let's see how this 6 year old Semillon from Hunter Valley is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MARGAN FAMILY HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON 2017 - Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#493338) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. Pours a medium yellow colour. Wow. Gorgeously fragrant, intensely aromatic, and complex nose of yellow pear, green fig, lanolin, and floral joined by subtle hints of citrus, melon, and waxy aromas. It is medium-full bodied on the impressively rich, well-structured, and dry palate with lovely citrus, floral, yellow pear, spice, grapefruit, lanolin, and waxy flavours supported by fresh, bracing, and well-balanced acidity. Some earthy mineral notes come through on the finish, with excellent length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Margan Wines are available through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Lungarotti Rubesco Rosso di Torgiano 2019 (Umbria) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delicious, mainly Sangiovese-based red wine from the lesser-known region of Umbria. It was featured on the cover of the recent March 4 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and is widely available across Ontario now.

It is produced by Cantine Giorgio Lungarotti, a family-owned winery that was founded in the 1960's in Torgiano, the heart of Umbria in central Italy. The pioneering founder was Giorgio Lungarotti and the family is a symbol of Umbrian oenological excellence within the region and Italy. He transformed the agricultural firm into a winemaking estate, focusing on traditional grape varieties, and implementing modern vine training systems and technology in the cellars.

Today, Lungarotti is led by Maria Grazia, wife of the late Giorgio, and their two daughters - Chiara and Teresa. The third generation of the family has also joined the business, which spans 250 hectares of vineyards across their two estates, one each in Torgiano and Montefalco. Together, they are focused on quality wine production and sustainability.

The name of this wine, Rubesco, is a trademark of Lungarotti and derives from the Latin verb "rubescere", which means "to blush" (with joy). On the label of this wine is an image that recalls the panel depicting the harvest from the Fontana Maggiore in Perugia, a fountain that was built in approximately 1277 and is one of Italy's most beautiful Medieval fountains. It was the Rubesco wine in 1962 that helped Lungarotti establish the Torgiano winegrowing region. The success of this wine fueled Lungarotti's passion for the region's grapes and helped the region achieve Torgiano DOC status in 1968, Umbria's first DOC. The terroir in Torgiano is well-suited to cultivating expressive, high-quality Sangiovese, a grape that mirrors its terrain and climate very well.

I enjoyed the previous vintage of this wine, the 2018 Lungarotti Rubesco Sangiovese/Colorino, back in December 2021, and while both the 2018 and 2019 are composed of the same grape varieties, this vintage has slightly more Sangiovese (95%) with 5% Colorino completing the blend. The grapes were grown on medium mix soils with a looser structure on the higher hillsides, and soils with medium depth, good structure, and a limestone sub-soil. The grapes were harvested between the end of September and early October and fermented in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature with 15 days of skin contact. It was refined for one year in casks, and after a light filtration it was further refined by spending one year in bottle. Let's see how this 2019 Rosso di Torgiano is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LUNGAROTTI RUBESCO ROSSO DI TORGIANO 2019 - DOC, Umbria, Italy (#368548) (XD) - $21.95
This blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino has a ripe, medium-high intensity nose offering attractive, lightly dried red cherry and floral aromas, plus clove, spices, and raspberry, with savoury earth undertones. It's mid-weighted on the very ripe palate with delicious dark red cherry, clove, spices, raspberry, and earthy replays on the flavour profile. It has refreshing acidity and supple, lightly textured tannins. Slightly tangy on the mid-palate with savoury mineral notes lingering on the long, juicy, and succulent finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the couple of years. Score: 88+ pts

Other lovely wines by Cantine Lungarotti are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Duck Hunter Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (New Zealand) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely vegan and sustainably crafted Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. It is a new arrival at the LCBO as part of the recent March 4 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Duck Hunter Wines, a partnership that was formed about a decade ago between Mark Wilson and Rosie McLean. Both Mark and Rosie are co-Owners/Directors and actively involved in the day-to-day running of the business.

Together, they share a passion to present high-quality New Zealand wines at affordable prices. Mark is in responsible for PR and Sales, and having been in the restaurant business for over three decades, he understands the importance of having great wine to accompany good food. Rosie is an ex-Bank Manager and handles Production, Compliance, and Export Logistics; she is also an avid promoter of NZ Sauvignon Blanc.

The wines are crafted by Jed Penkman, Chief Winemaker at Duck Hunter wines in Blenheim. Jed is a South Island born kiwi boy who obtained his Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University in 2002. He gained his viticultural experience working in wineries located in UK, France, and California, and returned to NZ in 2007 to work in Central Otago. After working at Kim Crawford for several years, he became involved in the Duck Hunter project in 2014 and is now fully in charge of blending and finishing their Marlborough wines.

The label of Duck Hunter wines show a painting by New Zealand artist Joanna Braithwaite. When Mark discovered this painting, he instantly knew that it would be the ideal marque for their family of wines. Duck Hunter has grown in personality and charm. With a gun slung casually over wing, the feathered friend is not the hunted, it is rather the hunter - the keeper of the estate, protector of the vines, and calm champion of the wines.

The grapes used to craft to Duck Hunter wines are proudly 100% sustainably accredited from vineyard to bottle, ensuring that best practices are used to protect New Zealand's environment and provide quality assurance for consumers.

Crafted with 100% Sauvignon Blanc, this white wine is made with 90% Wairau Valley and 10% Awatere Valley fruit. The grapes were machine harvested when they reached the desired flavour spectrum, then pressed pressed and cool-fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine was then cold stabilised, filtered, and bottled. From a small, but good-to-excellent vintage, let's see how this 2021 Sauvignon Blanc is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DUCK HUNTER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Vegan, sustainable, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#26127) (XD) - $21.95
Screw cap. The fresh and fragrant nose is slightly musky with aromas of Meyer lemon citrus, white peach, and guava with hints of mango, gooseberry, and herbs. It has good weight on the dry, medium+ bodied palate with elegant and refreshing acidity lifting the ripe, lightly honeyed flavours of Meyer lemon, citrus, guava, melon, tropical fruits, and herbs with touches of gooseberry. It's nicely balanced throughout with citrus, tropical fruit, melon, and herbal flavours joined by some mineral notes on the lingering finish, with very good length. Chill and enjoy this thirst quenching, highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely Duck Hunter wines can be ordered through their Agent - Touchstone Brands.

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March 18, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Pinot Noir

Here are my top wine picks from the March 18, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection and the theme of the release focuses on Pinot Noir. Also in this release are a selection of Online & Flagship Exclusives. Overall, it's a small-ish release once again with 88 wines, all of which should be available for purchase across Ontario by this Saturday.

We begin with the theme titled "Pinot Noir - A Labour of Love", the varietal known as the heartbreak grape and one that your either love or hate. In all there are only five wines (or eight if you add the three Essentials Collection wines) included as part of the theme, with wines from Ontario, Burgundy, Oregon, New Zealand, and somewhat surprisingly - Provence featured, and the two wines included among my list of top wine picks are Pinot Noir wines from Burgundy and Provence.

Red wine recommendations from the main release begins with the iconic Purple Angel that is composed of 92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot, as well as the wine from South Africa that is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. From Spain, the Gran Reserva is crafted with 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, while the Reserva grown in Rioja Alta is a blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Garnacha / Graciano / Mazuelo. From Rhône, the Gigondas is a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, while the Ventoux is composed of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah with traces of Cinsault and Carignan. Lastly, the Bordeaux red is crafted with 100% Merlot, while the red wine from Tuscany is composed of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, and the rest other permitted varieties.

Among my white wine picks, all of the wines are single varietal wines. The Sancerre is crafted with Sauvignon Blanc, while the Chablis 1er Cru is made with Chardonnay. If you want something on the sweeter side, the Riesling from Niagara always impresses.

The last group of wines is composed of a dry rosé from California that is a blend of 65% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 11% Carignan, and 10% Vermentino, while both sparkling wines are dominated by Chardonnay. The Champagne is crafted with 96% Chardonnay and 4% Pinot Noir, while the sparkling wine from B.C. is composed of 65.5% Chardonnay and 34.5% Pinot Noir.

Enjoy my top recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• LAURA HARTWIG SINGLE VINEYARD CARMENÈRE 2020 - DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#213512) (XD) - $15.95
• PESQUIÉ ÉDITION 1912M VENTOUX 2020 - AP, Rhône, France (#636159) (XD) - $19.95
• CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT 2019 - AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France (#123489) (XD) - $19.95  90+ pts  wine review
• CUNE RESERVA 2018 - Rioja Alta, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#417659) (XD) - $24.95
• VALMOISSINE PINOT NOIR 2021 - IGP Var, Provence, France (#714451) (XD) - $25.95  90 pts  wine review
  
• BENEGAS ESTATE SINGLE VINEYARD MALBEC 2018 - Gualtallary, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#547331) (XD) - $25.95
• ESK VALLEY SYRAH 2018 - Sustainable, Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (#17545) (XD) - $29.95  FE  90+ pts  wine review

 

• FAMILLE JAUME PASCAL & RICHARD CRU DES CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE GIGONDAS 2020 - AC, France (#28615) (XD) - $30.95
• CARPINETO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2017 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#47118) (XD) - $31.95  90 pts  wine review
• EL COTO DE IMAZ GRAN RESERVA 2015 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#976811) (XD) - $34.95  92+ pts  wine review
• MARCHAND-TAWSE CÔTE D'OR BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2020 - AC, Burgundy, France (#285601) (XD) - $38.95
• MEERLUST RUBICON 2018 - WO Stellenbosch, South Africa (#64329) (XD) - $59.95
• MONTES PURPLE ANGEL 2020 - DO Valle de Colchagua, Chile (#62364) (XD) - $96.95

White Wine:

• NOMAD SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#446088) (XD) - $17.95
• ZUCCARDI SERIE A TORRONTÉS 2022 - Argentina (#389262) (XD) - $17.95
• MARGAN FAMILY HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON 2017 - Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia (#493338) (XD) - $19.95  91 pts  wine review
• TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE-NORTH RIESLING 2020 - Vegan, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#431593) (M) - $21.95
• BACHELDER LES VILLAGES-BENCH CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#16059) (XD) - $34.95  FE  91+ pts  wine review
• ROGER & DIDIER RAIMBAULT SANCERRE 2021 - AC, Loire, France (#82255) (XD) - $36.95
• ALAIN GEOFFROY BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2020 - AP, Burgundy, France (#733501) (XD) - $43.95

Rosé Wine:

• DECOY ROSÉ 2021 - California, USA (#558114) (XD) - $24.95

Sparkling Wine:

• BLUE MOUNTAIN GOLD LABEL BRUT SPARKLING - Traditional method, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada (#206326) (XD) - $34.95  90 pts  wine review
• LE BRUN DE NEUVILLE GRAND VINTAGE BRUT CHAMPAGNE 2008 - Disgorged June 2022, AC, France (#11131) (XD) - $88.95  92 pts  wine review

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Manos Negras Stone Soil Malbec 2019 (Argentina) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely Malbec from the famed Paraje Altamira appellation within the Uco Valley that landed at the LCBO last weekend as part of the March 4th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is made by Manos Negras, a producer that was born out of a friendship between an American Wine Educator, an Argentine star viticulturalist, and two Kiwi winemakers, all with extensive international experience and a no nonsense, hard-nosed work ethic.

Manos Negras is co-owned by Jeff Mausbach and Alejandro Sejanovich, friends who built a long-lasting friendship through experience and hard work. Jeff spent over a decade as Wine Education Director for Bodega Catena Zapata and has travelled the world preaching the gospel of the unique character of Argentine wines. Alejandro was Vineyard Director for Bodega Caetna Zapata for 15 years and pioneered high-altitude vineyard planting while also conducting ground breaking research on Mendoza Malbec clones. The Kiwi winemakers are Jason Mabbett, who was a professor of winemaking at Auckland University and also made wine in Australia, California, and Argentina, and Duncan Killiner who has made wine from Israel to Uruguay and from Italy to Chile, while also taking on winemaking consultant duties for producers in Chile and Argentina.

The winery's name literally translates to "Black Hands" and reflects their philosophy towards winemaking - get their hands black with wine by rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty with a fearless, hands-on approach to winemaking from budbreak to bottling. That's how they make the hand-crafted wines of Manos Negras.

This particular Malbec was grown in the Paraja Altamira GI within the Uco Valley in Mendoza. The soil profile in Mendoza is unique and every vineyard has patches of very rocky top soil that is rich in limestones. These small lots produce Malbec grapes of exceptional concentration with a flinty minerality. This Malbec was sourced exclusively from small lots of rocky, mineral-rich soils.

From a good-to-excellent vintage, let's see how this 2019 Malbec from Paraje Altamira is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MANOS NEGRAS STONE SOIL MALBEC 2019 - Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#482109) (XD) - $21.95
100% Malbec grown in small lots of rocky, mineral-rich soils, this has a fresh, medium-high intensity nose of distinctive earthy-stony mineral aromas layered over ripe dark berry, blackberry, cool herbs, spices, and hints of black plum. It's mid-weighted on the dry, salty palate with lovely dark berry, blackberry, spices, and stony mineral flavours which are supported by fresh, bright, and juicy acidity. Supple tannins are well-structured and lightly chalky textured. Lovely stony mineral notes linger on the long, savoury finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Manos Negras can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is this lovely, consistently well-made Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia that is featured on the back cover of the March 4th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. It arrived at the LCBO last weekend and is widely available across Ontario.

Wakefield Wines are produced by the Taylor family who established their own estate in Australia's Clare Valley in 1969 after making wines for others many years prior. The estate winery was created by Bill Taylor Sr. and his two sons when they planted their first vineyards and began a journey to become one of the Australia's most renowned wine producers.

Today, Wakefield Wines is led by the third generation of the family - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton. Together, they are focused on continuing the family tradition of producing delicious wines that stand the test of time. They are also focused on producing wines sustainably and responsibly, while respecting the fruit and where it comes from. This particular wine is from their Jaraman range where they specifically search for parcels of extraordinary to fruit from Australia's iconic wine regions to craft wines that showcase the fruits' distinctive regional characteristics and style. The winemakers ensure that the distinct regional characteristics of each variety is preserved and enhanced, ensuring that the fruit is the star and any winemaking influence is the supporting act.

Like the 2018 Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon that I last enjoyed nearly a year ago, this particular vintage is also crafted with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from nearly equal parts Clare Valley (52%) and Coonawarra (48%) fruit. It was matured for 10-12 months in French oak barrels in a combination of 50% 1-year-old barrels and the other half in 2- and 3-year-old barrels, prior to being bottled.

The growing season in 2020 in the Clare Valley began with challenging weather events that included spring frosts at budburst and then hot and windy conditions during flowering. The start of summer brought wild weather, from searing heat and bush fires to heavy rain and chilly, gusty winds. Weather conditions returned to relatively normal in February and March, and harvest was smooth and steady. Although it was a tough year for growers in Clare Valley, the quality of the fruit was high. In Coonawarra, the season began well with good rainfall from the end of Autumn to the beginning of Spring. The region was also fortunate not to have been affected by the bush fires that occurred throughout the summer. Although yields were down, the warm days and cool nights provided the perfect ripening conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon and the wines from this vintage look excellent. Let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Clare Valley & Coonawarra, South Australia (#142398) (XD) - $24.95
Screw cap. With 52% Clare Valley and 48% Coonawarra fruit, this Cabernet Sauvignon has fresh, lifted, medium-high intensity aromas of mint and leafy herbals followed by mocha chocolate, oak spice, dark currant, and cassis. It's full-bodied, smooth, and well-structured with delicious minty-eucalypt, leafy herb, dark currant, mocha chocolate, and cassis replays on the flavour profile. It has fresh, balanced acidity and smooth, refined, and slightly youthful tannins. Juicy currants, chocolate, herbal, and earthy flavours linger on the long finish. Recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other delicious wines by Wakefield Wines are available at the LCBO and via their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Fasoli Gino San Raffaele Pinot Grigio 2021 (delle Venezie) - Wine Review

After enjoying the 2020 Fasoli Gino San Raffaele Pinot Grigio last year, tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of this lovely white wine from northeastern Italy which arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the March 4 LCBO VINTAGES Release. This lovely, organic, and vegan-friendly white wine is also sporting a new, fresh, and modern label for this vintage.

It is produced by Fasoli Gino, a winemaking family of four generations with deep roots in Verona, northern Italy. Their story of passion and dedication for wine begins in 1925 with Amadio Fasoli dedicated himself to viticulture in the valley of Illasi, the green expanse to the east of Verona. Amadio personally delivered the wines he made to the best eateries of the area by horse and cart.

Gino Fasoli, son of Amadio and second generation of the family, inherited the same passion for his father's vineyards and increased the size of the vineyards, thereby increasing wine production. Gino gave his name to the winery and was driven to make his wines known across the entire region of Verona. In 1979, Gino Fasoli developed an allergy to to some of the chemicals used in the vineyards and soon thereafter the winery was passed on to the third generation who made the brave and difficult decision at the time to go organic.

By 1986, the third generation of the Fasoli family, brothers Amadio and Natalino, had converted all of their vineyards to organic, and in 2003 they constructed a new winery. In 2006, they also introduced biodynamic practices. At the turn of the century, Matteo Fasoli became the 4th generation of the family to join the family's winemaking business.

Today, the Fasoli family uses their know-how gathered over 4 generations while enthusiastically embracing modern agricultural techniques. The Fasoli brothers are farmers at heart and the love for the land in which they live can be felt through their enthusiasm and care for its fruits. They only produce wines that they love drinking. This journey from vine to glass is carried out with total respect for the culture and values of the terroir. The Fasoli family is constantly striving for excellence while developing and implementing production techniques that have the least environmental impact possible. Fasoli Gino is one of Italy's most long-standing and respected organic producers.

Tasting Note:

FASOLI GINO SAN RAFFAELE PINOT GRIGIO 2021 - Vegan, DOC delle Venezie, Italy (#204768) (XD) - $17.95
Screw cap. This organic and vegan-friendly white wine has fresh, medium-high intensity aromas which are ripe and complex with honeysuckle, melon, lemon citrus, and pear aromas with a lessy mineral underpinning. On the dry, light-to-mid-weighted palate it has crisp, lively, and refreshing acidity that lifts the citrusy, apple, pear, melon, and honeysuckle flavours. Succulent and juicy on the lightly spicy mid-palate, while the spicy notes are joined by minerals on the crisp finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy! Grab two and enjoy one now while holding the other for a year or so for a more evolved expression. Score: 89 pts

Other delicious wines by Fasoli Gino can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.

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Creekside Red Tractor Cabernet/Merlot 2020 (Niagara) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Cabernet-Merlot from Niagara that returned to the LCBO over the weekend as part of the March 4 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Red Tractor Wines are produced by Creekside Estate Winery. This new world wine brand was established by Creekside in 2011 to celebrate the past, present, and future of farming in Ontario. The red tractor symbol comes from an old Massey Harris tractor that Creekside owns and serves as a symbol of the hard work required to farm the vineyards. Red Tractor Wines honours this hard work and salutes their family of growers.

The grapes used to craft Red Tractor Wines are sourced from family farms across the Niagara Peninsula - because place matters. The wines pay homage to the vineyards and growers such as the Serluca and Smith Families, as they work alongside these second-generation farmers as they push the boundaries on innovation and lead with sustainable farming practices.

And thinking ahead to International Women's Day, which is held annually on March 8th, Yvonne Irvine leads the winemaking for Red Tractor Wines. She has over 12-years of viticultural and winemaking experience, and works closely with the family of growers while embracing the honest, hard-work required to grow and harvest quality fruit. Each vintage is a labour of love as she celebrates the growers by crafting their fruit into strong, powerful wines.

I was first introduced to Red Tractor Wines in 2019 when they launched their first Cabernet/Merlot and Cabernet Franc wines. The range now also includes a Shiraz Cabernet and a Chardonnay. While the 2017 vintage of this red wine blend was Merlot-based, this particular vintage is composed of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon (47%) and Merlot (46%), plus 7% Cabernet Franc to complete the blend. This blend celebrates the vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula and the growers that have shaped the landscape. The grapes were harvested from three vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It was vinified and aged in separate small lots, and then blended after 16 months in barrel.

From the near-perfect 2020 growing season that provided structure, ripeness, and longevity to age, let's see how this 2020 Bordeaux-blend from Niagara is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CREEKSIDE RED TRACTOR CABERNET/MERLOT 2020 - VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada (#11851) (D) - $17.95
A blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc, this has an attractive, medium-high intensity nose that offers ripe black currant, cassis, black cherry, chocolate, and oak spice aromas with some earthy undertones and a touch of olive. On the medium-full bodied palate it has ripe, dark currant, cassis, black cherry, plum, and earthy oak spice flavours supported by fresh acidity. Structured tannins are gritty textured and quite drying, while savoury earth, cedary, and cocoa notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Enjoy this recommended buy with big red meats. Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious Red Tractor Wines are available direct from Creekside Estate Winery in Niagara.

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Selbach Tradition Feinherb Riesling Kabinett 2020 (Mosel) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Riesling Kabinett from Mosel that arrived at the LCBO last month as part of the February 4th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

It is produced by J & H Selbach, a separate family business from their estate wine producing company - Weingut Selbach-Oster. The company Selbach-Oster was established as an independent business in 1964 to separate the family's estate vineyards from the rest of the business which included making wine from their own grapes and purchased grapes from small growers along the Mosel, Saar, and Ruwer, in the negociant tradition.

The historic Selbach family has a winemaking and shipping tradition that dates all the way back to the 1600s, while the Oster family were winegrowers and coopers going back to the 1700s. Johannes Selbach, who is from the Osters grand-maternal line of the family, is the current owner of Selbach-Oster. He was raised in the municipality of Zeltingen, where the estate is located today within the Mosel wine region, and grew up around the family's vineyards his whole life and made his first wine at at a young age in 1975.

Today, both of Johannes children, Sebastian and Hannah, are involved in the family's small winemaking business. Sebastian has especially developed a passion for wine by working the vineyards and after completing his studies in oenology and viticulture, as well as internships in Germany and abroad, he joined the family estate in 2019. There are no official titles at Selbach-Oster as each day is a joint effort among family members and their employees.

Selbach-Oster owns and farms 24 hectares of vineyards, most of which is old, some up to 100 years old, ungrafted Riesling vines, located on the "golden mile" of Mosel which features the steep, slate slopes from Zeltingen to Wehlen to Graach, and to Bernkastel. The vines are grown in harmony with nature with lots of time-consuming, manual labour, and with meticulous care. The grapes are hand-picked, and often with multiple passes, while fermentation takes place in their cold cellars with mostly wild, indigenous yeast.

From a very good 2020 vintage that is delivering balance and elegance, let's see how this 2020 Riesling Kabinett from Mosel is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SELBACH TRADITION FEINHERB RIESLING KABINETT 2020 - Prädikatswein, Mosel, Germany (#21031) (M) - $24.95
The nose seems rather quiet with glimpses of citrus, orange, white peach, and honeyed aromas. On the rich, concentrated, and medium-full bodied palate it has deliciously off-dry and gently spicy flavours of citrus, white peach, ripe apple, and honey with touches of slatey and leesy minerals. It's nicely textured on the mid-palate with crisp, vibrant, and refreshing acidity that balances the sweetness, while leesy mineral notes linger on the sticky, juicy, long, and dry-ish finish. Recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

You may find some wines by Weingut Selbach at the LCBO, but your best bet is to reach out to their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry (Spain) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delicious sweet cream Sherry that is widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario as part of the General List Collection and currently on limited time offer of $2 off until the last week of March.

It is produced by Harveys, a sherry company that was founded in Bristol, England, in 1796 by merchant William Perry who would go on to become on the largest importers of sherry from the Bay of Cadiz (Spain) to the port of Bristol.

Quality is very important to Harveys and each drop means everything to them. They have spent years finding the the best vineyards and bodegas in Spain's Jerez winegrowing region. Jerez offers its own, unique micro-climate due to the fresh and humid winds from the west. and warm and dry winds from the east. Jerez is also known for its Albariza (white) soils which are best for growing Palomino grapes, and 300 days of sunshine a year. This unique terroir makes Jerez the global centre for sherry production. The Master Blender at Harveys is Manuel Jose Valcarcel ans he has been with the company for over 20 years and makes sure that their unique liquid is always up to the highest standards.

This Cream Sherry was launched in 1882 by John Harvey II and his brother Edward and granted the Royal Warrant shortly thereafter. It is composed of 80% Palomino and 20% Pedro Ximenez, using a delicate blend of Jerez's finest wines; delicate finos, aged amontillados, fragrant olorosos, and the special Pedro Ximenez grape which provides a silky, mellow smoothness. It is known for its deep golden chestnutty and amber tones, as well as being full, fragrant, pungent, and elegant all at once, and a full bodied, rich, yet mellow experience that is long-lasting and velvety. It is best enjoyed chilled at 12°C in a wine glass or mix over ice with a slice of orange. To assist you in enjoying the Bristol Cream Sherry it at its best temperature, the "Harveys" name on the front label will turn blue. Let's see how this sweet cream Sherry from Spain is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

HARVEYS BRISTOL CREAM SHERRY - DO Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Spain (#215483) (S) (750 mL) - $18.45 $16.45 until Mar. 26
Screw cap. Blend of 80% Palomino and 20% Pedro Ximenez, the medium-high intensity nose has sweet aromas of caramel, fig, burnt sugar, golden raisin, hazelnut, and floral tones. It's medium+ bodied with a sweet flavour profile of caramel, molasses, fig, hazelnut, golden raisin, and floral flavours. It has balanced acidity and some warmth on the creamy mid-palate, but still within balance, while the delicious flavour replays come through on the smooth, nutty, dry-ish, and long-lasting finish. This recommended buy is best enjoyed nicely chilled. Score: 88+ pts

Other lovely Harveys Sherrys can be ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2018 (Tuscany) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is an excellent Sangiovese based red wine from the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG in Tuscany (not to be confused with Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a red wine made from the Montepulciano grape in Abruzzo). This red wine arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent February 18 LCBO VINTAGES Release and is readily available across the province.

It is produced by Poliziano, a family winery that was born in 1961 from the love for their beautiful with which they work in harmony to vibrant and representative wines with professionalism and the constant search for the most advanced viticultural and oenological techniques.

The story of Poliziano begins when Dino Carletti purchased his first parcel of 22 hectares near Montepulciano. He named the winery "Poliziano" because in Italian a native of Montepulciano is called a "Poliziano", and one of the most well-known Polizianos in the history of the region is the humanist poet Angelo Ambrogini (1454-1494) who had the nickname "Poliziano". As a tribute to Angelo, he is represented in the company's logo.

In the late 1970s, Federico Carletti, son of Dino, took over management of the property after he completed his studies in agriculture and immediately made his mark by choosing to work exclusively with their own estate grapes. Today, the estate has over 170 hectares of vineyards and the focus is on quality viticulture that is also innovative, yet respectful of the environment and tradition. Federico's pursuit of quality and excellence was present in the vineyards and cellar, while continuously looking to improve. He studied Sangiovese (aka Prugnolo Gentile) in order to find its best expression in Montepulciano, while also planting international varieties in the 1990s. For almost twenty years, Federico has focused on reaching the highest expression of this territory in his wines, with a firm belief in the potentiality, while also moving towards a more natural and sustainable approach.

Today, the family's passion for wine continues with the 3rd generation. Francesco and Maria Stella joined the family business in 2019 and 2021, respectively, as essential advisors to Federico and are ready to face both the current and future challenges.

This Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is crafted with 90-95% Sangiovese, a grape known locally by its historic name Prugnolo Gentile, and the remainder with other permitted varieties. At Poliziano, they dedicate the utmost care to growing Prugnolo Gentile, the grape that characterizes the Montepulciano area, because it expresses the full potential of the territory with its rich wine history. First produced in 1968, the grapes for this wine come from a 47 hectare vineyard situated between 300 to 400 metres above sea level on silty-clay soils with a medium presence of stones. The grapes were manually harvested and sorted by an optical sorting machine. It was macerated and fermented in stainless steel vats, followed by ageing for 14-16 months in wood barrels, with two-thirds aged in French oak barriques and tonneaux, and one-third in vats.

From an excellent 2018 vintage in Tuscany, let's see how this 2018 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

POLIZIANO VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2018 - DOCG, Tuscany, Italy (#988055) (XD) - $34.95
Composed of 90-95% Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile), this has a beautifully elegant and highly aromatic nose of red cherry, sweet spices, baking spice, clove, wet earth, and hints of Mediterranean herb aromas laying underneath. It's medium-full bodied on the ripe, structured palate with lovely red cherry, clove, earth replays, plus sandalwood notes on the flavour profile. It is impeccably balanced with juicy, succulent acidity and well-integrated, elegantly structured, and grainy textured tannins. Savoury, earthy, chestnut, and sandalwood notes with touches of cherry lingering on the long, highly pleasurable finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 10 years, maybe a bit more. Score: 92+ pts

Minimal quantities of one other wine by Poliziano is available at the LCBO, while the rest of the portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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